UNITED STATES – An outbreak of E. coli linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has made at least 75 people sick across 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number has gone up from 49 cases earlier in the week, and 22 people have been hospitalized. Unfortunately, one death has been confirmed, but there haven’t been any new deaths reported since Friday. 

The CDC mentioned that the increase in cases, including older ones, was expected because it can take weeks to connect illnesses to specific foods. Currently, the main focus of the investigation is on slivered onions supplied by Taylor Farms, although the beef patties are also being looked into. Taylor Farms has already recalled several onion products due to possible contamination. 

Symptoms of E. coli, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, usually show up three to four days after eating contaminated food. Public health officials have talked to 42 people who got sick, all of which had eaten Quarter Pounders before they fell ill. While health officials are trying to manage the outbreak, they warn that many E. coli cases go unreported, so the actual number of infections might be even higher.